Word
overdrive
Phoneticsover·drive
US/ˈoʊvɝˌdɹaɪv/
UK/ˈəʊvədɹˌaɪv/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
overdrive
Past
overdrove
Past participle
overdriven
Definitions
01heightened activity
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a state of working very hard or being extremely active.
n. a state of intensified activity, effort, or production, often beyond normal limits.
“The factory went into overdrive to finish all the orders before the holiday.”
“As the election approached, the candidate's PR machine went into overdrive, churning out press releases and social media content hourly.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02mechanical gear
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Engineering Technical
n. a high gear in a vehicle that helps the engine run more slowly while driving fast.
n. a gear ratio in an automotive transmission that allows the output shaft to rotate faster than the input shaft, reducing engine wear and fuel consumption at cruising speeds.
“Once he reached the highway, he shifted the car into overdrive to save fuel.”
“The vintage sports car featured a manual overdrive unit, which was engaged via a toggle switch on the dashboard for high-speed touring.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03to push too hard
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to drive or push someone or something much harder than is healthy or safe.
v. to drive, work, or exploit something or someone to the point of exhaustion or strain.
“You shouldn't overdrive your staff if you want them to stay productive.”
“The logistics manager was cautioned not to overdrive the delivery fleet, as the increased maintenance costs were offsetting the gains in speed.”
Antonyms
Usage
Commonly used in the idiomatic phrase 'into overdrive' following the verbs 'go' or 'kick'.
Etymology
From Middle English overdriven, from Old English oferdrīfan, equivalent to over- + drive. Cognate with Saterland Frisian uurdrieuwe (“to overdo, overstate”), Dutch overdrijven (“to exaggerate”), German Low German overdrieven, överdrieven (“to overdo, exaggerate”), German übertreiben (“to overdo, exaggerate”), Norwegian overdrive (“to exaggerate”).
From over- + drive, originally referring to gear ratios over 1:1.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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